In an effort to mitigate potential weather-related issues during the summer months at Steinbrenner Field, Major League Baseball has made adjustments to the schedule for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, who are currently playing at this temporary facility due to damage at Tropicana Field, will now host two series in the early part of the season instead of during the hotter summer months.

The revised schedule shows that Tampa Bay is set to play 13 out of its first 16 games at home, leading to a total of 47 out of 59 games by May 28. The Rays will face a different challenge as they head into the latter part of the season, with 69 out of their last 103 games taking place on the road. In July, the team will only be at home for eight of their 25 scheduled games, and the same goes for August with eight of 26.

One notable change involves a previously planned series against the Los Angeles Angels, originally set to take place from April 7-9 in Los Angeles. This matchup will now occur in Tampa, from April 8-10. Conversely, the second series will be held in Anaheim, California, on August 4-6, adjusting from the original schedule that would have had it take place in St. Petersburg, Florida, from August 5-7.

For the Minnesota Twins, their first encounter with the Rays is scheduled for May 26-28 at Steinbrenner Field, while their subsequent series will occur at Target Field in Minneapolis from July 4-6. Meanwhile, the Class A Tampa Tarpons, the regular tenants of Steinbrenner Field, experienced significant challenges last season, having six home games postponed, two games canceled, and four games suspended from June 21 until their season concluded on September 8.

As for the Rays, their first six games will be hosted at home against Colorado and Pittsburgh. Following that, they will play a three-game series in Texas before returning for a lengthy 13-game homestand. This homestand includes matchups against the Angels, Atlanta, Boston, and the New York Yankees.

Tropicana Field, which has been the home of the Rays since their inception in 1998, suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Milton on October 9 when much of its fabric roof was torn apart. Currently, there is uncertainty surrounding their return to Tropicana Field, with 2026 being the earliest potential date for them to come back, contingent on repairs being completed.